Driving regional growth - what matters to business

22 May 2017

The UK’s economic picture is a broadly healthy one: the 6th largest economy in the world, the fastest growing economy in the G7, and employment at record highs. However, that success is not necessarily shared evenly across the country.

Andy Silvester, Head of Campaigns & Deputy Director of Policy suggests the areas the Government should focus on to ensure the UK as a whole can prosper.

The gap between our most and least prosperous regions is striking; the gap between cities and their hinterlands, in some cases, is equally concerning. The most important thing to do is to invest in the fundamentals – embedding skills, upgrading infrastructure, creating a positive business environment. But there is more that can be done, too.

Key elements will be ensuring ‘Metro Mayors’ are given momentum and more areas encouraged to consider whether the system is right for them. Closer co-operation on infrastructure upgrades, and additional competition between authorities on everything from exports to guidance will be crucial.

And looking further into the long-term, the Government should consider ways to ensure that areas particularly reliant on one or two dominant industries are not left adrift by changing technology.

Andy Silvester, Head of Campaigns & Deputy Director of Policy

Andy Silvester joined the Institute of Directors in September 2015 as the Head of Campaigns. His role covers public affairs, regulation, and the IoD's ongoing campaigns across the media and within government.

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